Established in Memory of Cynthia Waters (March 2, 1970-February 8, 2023), Nearby Nature Volunteer, Board Member, & Friend from 2012-2023
Here at Nearby Nature we believe that everyone, no matter what burdens they bear or life challenges they face, belongs in nature nearby. Time spent in the woods, by the water, and with the wild can heal, inspire, soothe, teach, and comfort those in need.
Cynthia Waters was a dedicated Nearby Nature volunteer and a friend of our staff for over 10 years. She lead school nature walks, helped with outdoor adventures at daycamps, and staffed special events. She raised money for our programs, tended native plants in our Pollinators Playground, fought graffiti with our TAG Team, and served on our Board of Directors. She loved children, plants, her natural neighbors (spiders especially!) and the people she worked with. She will be missed but her legacy will live on as we weave a web of connection between people and nature through this fund.
Donations made to the We All Belong (WEB) Fund will help Nearby Nature open its doors to children who would benefit immensely from connection with nature, but who perhaps need more individual attention or special accommodations to make their participation possible. Extra support staff, professional development for teachers, and Learnscape enhancements are just a few ideas for how we hope to put your donations to work to honor Cynthia.
We welcome your contributions, your ideas for how to use these funds, your participation in our programs, and your time as a volunteer as we move forward. Donations may be made be clicking the donate link on this page or by mailing checks to Nearby Nature, PO Box 3678, Eugene, OR 97403. Thank so much for your support.
A generous donor will match all contributions up to a total of $5,000!
Cynthia’s Space
In 2025, Nearby Nature volunteers and staff created Cynthia’s Space in our Learnscape, a memorial bench in Cynthia’s honor that we hope will provide anyone who needs it a little extra personal space, a retreat seat for a moment of calm, or simply a place for quiet reflection.
Next to her bench we planted a Japanese maple tree, a beloved green friend that Cynthia had tended at her home for years. To add color and beautiful light to the space, Nearby Nature volunteer artists created a rainbow fence weaving of naturally-dyed fabric. Out of respect for Cynthia’s ethic of living lightly, her vintage bench was restored with reclaimed cedar wood from another Nearby Nature volunteer’s home remodeling project.
We invite you to visit Cynthia’s Space when you join us for programs, remember those loved and lost, listen closely, and breathe deeply.